Spicebush Super Shrub for Songbirds Butterflies

[@dankeener3307]

5-6 years ago I collected berries from a well-established Spicebush patch, brought them home and threw them in a bed next to our driveway and persimmon tree. I forgot about them and about two years later found seedlings growing there with other native specimens. Last year we had 4 Spicebush caterpillars which were amazing to observe. Other Spicebush shrubs have showed up in areas I hadn’t planted like under our Pin Oak tree. I imagine birds introduced them; there is a number of Spicebush in a nearby park. Good job on the video.

[@BackyardEcology]

Thanks! Glad you liked the video. Spicebush is an awesome native shrub and the spicebush caterpillars are super cool too!

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

I've had 3 spice bush shrubs for YEARS now and have never seen a caterpillar. Please share them. 😊

[@BackyardEcology]

@@alliehamilton-calhoun162 I have found that some spicebush shrubs just never seem to get caterpillars on them. Not sure why the female spicebush swallowtails don't lay eggs on them. We have hundreds, of spicebush and sassafras on the farm and some always have caterpillars on them and others never do. Only the butterflies know why.

[@calitztish]

Love your native plant videos! Highly recommend putting shorter more condensed versions on TikTok. There’s a whole community there around native plants and people are always looking for local native plant vendors.

[@BackyardEcology]

Thanks for the tip!

[@JJLom777]

Yup. I've got two of them. Beautiful shrub. Amazing smell. They can be trained into a small yard tree or allowed to bush out. As mentioned, there is a male and a female plant. One needs one of each in relative vicinity to each other to get berries. Historically, they were used as an "Allspice" when spices were rare and/or taxed by England. On the down side: Deer will hammer them in the Winter if one is not careful. On the up side: (Also, partly mentioned.) They are one of only two plant species that the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly will use as a host for its caterpillar stage. My opinion: Worth having.

[@BackyardEcology]

Over most of their range spicebush swallowtails host on northern spicebush and sassafras. Farther south they have more options and will also host on several species of bay and the southern spicebush.

[@JJLom777]

@@BackyardEcology Yup. I gave it away, I'm up north.😄 😊

[@Kittypaws90]

'please do not go out into the woods and start tasting plants' LOL

[@BackyardEcology]

Absolutely. Some of them will leave you with a less than desirable experience...

[@GlenaGarrett]

I'm planning native shrub additions for my sister's 7-acre property. Going through your older videos for more info. We're thinking Spicebush, a red stemmed thicket dogwood, and Serviceberry for the sloped lot treeline. Those three should be excellent to bring back more insects and birds we used to see when we were very young (1960's) that are now not here or very rarely seen locally. Just deciding on the best variety mix for aesthetics as the treeline is an obvious feature on the lot.

[@BackyardEcology]

Those three will work well together and have great winter interest as well! All great choices for pollinators and wildlife too!

[@JesusdUribe]

Ok happy anniversary your channel is interesting and informative 😎🌼🌻🌱🪴

[@BackyardEcology]

Thanks so much!

[@BackyardEcology]

Have you used spicebush in a pollinator or wildlife planting? Please let us know about your experience! Also, be sure to check out our online classes: shannontrimboli.com/events/category/classes/

[@piaonomata9220]

We planted a Spicebush in our front yard (south-facing slope, central VA) under a Silver Maple about ten years ago, and it took off like gangbusters; I'd say it's flirting with the top end of that 12' height range. Actually...I say it's "a Spicebush", but it must have been two, because we get blooms and berries every year, and I don't think there are any other plants close by. We get Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars on it just about every year as well--if you find a Spicebush with one or more leaf tips cut and folded over, there's likely a teeny little snake mimic hiding inside (or there was at one point). The dense branches are also a favorite sheltering spot for song sparrows, Carolina wrens, and other small songbirds. I'm really bummed to hear about laurel wilt...will have to read up on that. I'm still getting over the blow of finding the first spotted lanternflies I'd ever seen in our yard earlier this year. :( Native landscaping with informed, gentle management practices can create booming ecosystems even in the smallest spaces (our lot is only 1/8 acre, and that includes our teeny house). We love our Spicebush!

[@BackyardEcology]

@@piaonomata9220 Spicebush will get large if it is in a location it likes. We have several on our farm that are well over 10 feet tall. You likely only have a female shrub and there are some males somewhat close by to pollinate it. The lantern flies are on the move - none in my area yet, but they are getting really close.

[@noraalvarado8178]

Great information. I know I must have this plant in my woods but haven't identified one yet. Although loving butterflys I have heard of it many times.

[@BackyardEcology]

Winter or early spring are great times to look for spicebush since the red berries are visible in winter and the bright yellow flowers stand out in the spring.

[@noraalvarado8178]

@@BackyardEcology Thanks I'll do that.

[@joshward7009]

if you're looking for it before it has berries but while it still has leaves, crush up and smell the leaves of any really generic looking bush you find with smooth margined, unlobed leaves. They're everywhere once you know what to look for

[@elleodyn]

Our spicebush is loved here too! (Quebec)

[@BackyardEcology]

It is an awesome native shrub!

[@helenjackson6535]

I found 3 spicebushes when clearing the edge of my property of invasives. One of them has a large branch that has holes dug in it by maybe insects. I dont know if it could spread, they are fairly large holes in several spots but only on one of its 3 main branches. Should i cut it off, treat it with something or ignore it and hope for the best?

[@BackyardEcology]

Depending on where you live it could be several things. Spicebush is susceptible to laurel wilt disease which is spread by a species of ambrosia beetle. One of the signs of this disease are small holes with sawdust pellets coming out of them. Without seeing the bush it is hard to say what is going on. I would take some good clear pictures of the damage and contact your local extension office.

[@helenjackson6535]

@@BackyardEcology thanks, I'll do that. The holes are maybe a half inch large so not that beetle, no sawdust coming out either. The other 2 large branches are fine.

[@gomnolto]

Very informative. Thank you! How can you tell male and female plants apart? Do the have specific cultivar names? I have 3, they've never flowered. I assume they are all the same gender.

[@BackyardEcology]

Both the make and female shrubs will flower. There are differences in the flower structure that can be used to tell them apart, but most people just plant a group of them. There are not any cultivars of spice bush as far as I know, just the wild type.

[@gomnolto]

@@BackyardEcology THANK YOU! :) :)

[@adiposerex5150]

I nearly lost mine but it looks like it may recover.

[@BackyardEcology]

Good to hear! Spicebush is fairly tough and resilient to most things.

[@Mikhail-Caveman]

Cool Video man I just subscribed to your channel! Peace

[@BackyardEcology]

Thanks for the sub! Glad you liked the video.

[@champagnewalkersequinemass3568]

Mulberries?

[@birage9885]

Dang catbirds will eat bitter berries. They are the only bird in my area that will feed on my aronia berries and elderberries.

[@BackyardEcology]

Other birds will eat them too. Time of year and what else is available has a huge bearing on when birds will eat certain things.

[@birage9885]

@@BackyardEcology I agree, but in my area, no other bird has touched my berry bushes, except catbirds. I had a 75 grape vine vineyard for years, and the number one bird that was a problem was the catbirds. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them, but they are the local thieves where I am at, no other birds mess with my fruit but them.

[@BackyardEcology]

@@birage9885 Interesting. Around here the mockingbirds, thrashers, and cedar waxwings along with the catbirds hammer the berry bushes and trees.